Part 22 (2/2)
”It's certainly very old.”
CHAPTER 19 The Lost Crowns
”Well, shall we return to the boat?” asked the Queen, when they had looked at the lost things a while longer.
”Yes,” they answered willingly, for the Valley was a rather sad sight.
So they walked back to the bank, where they took off their overshoes and threw them upon the pile. Then they went down the sloping bank to the river and sat down upon the sand to rest.
”I'm hungry,” said Tot.
”I forgot to bring anything to eat,” answered the Queen. ”But that will not matter. Fetch me your basket from the boat.”
Dot brought it to the little lady, who simply waved her fairy wand over it and said:
”Now we shall have a good dinner.”
The girl removed the cover and found that the big basket was filled to the brim with dainties of all kinds.
”That's nice,” said Tot. ”Were all those things in the end of your stick?”
”No one has ever yet discovered,” answered the Queen, ”how fairies are able to do such wonderful things. In fact, fairies could not explain them clearly if they wished to. So it is best not to ask questions, but to eat freely of these good things and be thankful my magic wand was able to fill the basket.”
”All right,” said Tot.
Although they enjoyed their dinner, the little party seemed to be unusually silent and thoughtful, and finally Dot asked:
”What shall we do next? We have seen all of the Seven Valleys now.”
”When we have finished our dinner we will return to my palace in the Fourth Valley,” replied the Queen, gaily.
A long pause followed this remark, and it was broken by Tot saying in a loud and decided voice:
”I want to go home!”
The Queen looked up quickly, with an anxious expression upon her face, and asked, ”Do you really?”
”Yes. I want to see my mamma!” declared the boy.
”And leave this beautiful country, where you are a Prince?”
”Yes,” said Tot decidedly.
”You surprise me, indeed,” said the Queen, ”and I am rather disappointed that you are not content to remain in my kingdom.” Then she turned to Dot, and enquired: ”Do you also wish to return to your home?”
”Well,” replied the girl, ”I love these beautiful Valleys dearly, and never expect to be as happy again as I have been here. But if Tot goes home of course I must go with him, for his mother left him in my care, you know.”
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